Holding structure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, transport unit and transport or packaging container having the same

ABSTRACT

A holding structure includes receptacles formed by peripherally formed side walls, an annular gap being formed between a side wall of a container or device and one of the peripherally formed side walls when containers or devices are received therein, the receptacles being compressed in a first direction and expanded in a second direction transversely thereto, with the result that the gap is widened to form a widened clearance for handling containers or devices which are received in the receptacles, the holding structure further including an upper side, the peripherally formed side walls including an upper edge which forms a closed, smooth curve having at least one local maximum and at least one local minimum in a direction perpendicular to the upper side of the holding structure, the at least one local minimum being situated in a region of the widened clearance that is respectively assigned.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/685,430,entitled “HOLDING STRUCTURE FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY HOLDING A PLURALITY OFCONTAINERS FOR SUBSTANCES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL, MEDICAL OR COSMETICAPPLICATIONS, TRANSPORT UNIT AND TRANSPORT OR PACKAGING CONTAINER HAVINGTHE SAME”, filed Nov. 15, 2019, which is incorporated herein byreference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/685,430 claims priorityto German patent application no. 10 2018 128 817.4, filed Nov. 16, 2018,which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the treatment of containersfor substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, andrelates in particular to a holding structure for simultaneously holdinga plurality of containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical orcosmetic applications, such as, for example, vials, ampoules orcarpoules, or of more complex assemblies having such containers.

2. Description of the Related Art

Medicament containers, such as, for example, vials, ampoules orcarpoules, are widely used as containers for storing medical,pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparations for administration in liquidform, in particular in pre-dosed quantities. These medicament containersgenerally have a cylindrical shape, can be produced from plastics orfrom glass and can be obtained in a cost-effective manner in largenumbers. In this respect, the containers are increasingly beingdelivered in holding structures in a predetermined geometric arrangementto a pharmaceutical manufacturer or to a subsequent processing operationand are further processed while the containers are held or received inthe holding structure. For this purpose, cost-effective and durableholding structures are required in which the containers are held orreceived in an arrangement which takes up the least possible space.

CN 103359348-A discloses a holding structure in the form of atrough-shaped holding tray, having a bottom on which there are provideda plurality of vertical positioning pegs between which the containerscan be received without mutual contact. The holding structure is formedfrom a plastic by injection molding. The vertical positioning pegssimultaneously act as guide portions for inserting the containers intothe receptacles formed by the positioning pegs. However, the containersare held with comparatively large play. The achievable packing densityof the containers is relatively small.

WO 2012/126582 A1 discloses a further holding structure for syringebodies, having a plate-shaped carrier on which there are formed aplurality of cylindrical receptacles having peripherally formed sidewalls. The syringe bodies rest by way of their holding flanges on theupper ends of the cylindrical receptacles. In order to stiffen thecarrier, the cylindrical receptacles are connected to one another viaconnecting webs on the lower side of the carrier. The distance betweenthe cylindrical receptacles is comparatively large, with the result thatthe packing density which can be achieved by the holding structure isnot optimal.

WO 2014/130349 discloses a comparable holding structure.

WO 2017/038878 A1 discloses a further holding structure, having aplate-shaped carrier on which there are formed a plurality ofcylindrical receptacles having peripherally formed side walls. Thecylindrical receptacles are arranged at a comparatively small distancefrom one another, which, however, makes it necessary to produce two sidewalls at a relatively small distance from one another. During productionby plastic injection molding, this necessitates very thin-walled, easilybreakable rib-like contours which are difficult to cool. This leads inturn, in the design of the mold, to a very complex and thus alsoexpensive mold. Moreover, such a design can also have a negative effecton the service life of the mold used for the injection molding. Sincethese delicate structures can be cooled only with very great effort, ifat all, during injection molding, the design also has a negative impacton the cycle time of the production process, which leads to higher unitcosts.

German Utility Model DE 20 2016 107 209 discloses a further holdingstructure of the aforementioned type in which inner receptacles of theholding structure are formed by axially extending positioning cylindersand separating webs which connect the positioning cylinders to oneanother. Although this arrangement allows a higher packing density ofthe containers, the production of the holding structure by plasticinjection molding is comparatively complicated.

The not yet laid-open German Patent Application DE 10 2017 101 398.9discloses a further holding structure in which the receptacles areformed by comparatively thin separating and connecting webs, which makesthe production of the holding structure by plastic injection moldingcomparatively complicated.

German Patent Application DE 10 2018 111 491.5 “Holding structure forsimultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances forpharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, transport unit andtransport or packaging container having the same” discloses a holdingstructure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers forsubstances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications, havinga plurality of receptacles for receiving the containers, wherein thereceptacles are arranged in a regular arrangement, and, when viewed in aplan view, the receptacles are of polygonal design. Here, thereceptacles are formed by side walls and in each case peripherally,wherein a side wall is formed as a common separating wall between everypair of directly adjacent receptacles of the plurality of receptacles.

For a wide variety of reasons, use is usually made, according to theprior art, of holding structures in which the receptacles are formed byperipheral side walls. For holding containers having a cylindrical basicbody, the receptacles here always have either a circular basic shape orthe basic shape of a quadrangle, namely a square or rectangle, or of ahexagon, as disclosed in DE 198 15 993 A1.

FIG. 1A summarizes the geometry of holding containers 102 having acylindrical basic body in hexagonally formed receptacles 101 of aholding structure 100 according to the prior art. In each of the sixcorners of the receptacles there in each case converge two adjacent sidewalls 105, 106 at an angle θ=60°, as indicated by the dashed lines.Here, only a comparatively narrow gap 104 remains between thecylindrical side wall of the containers 102 and the side walls 105, 106of the receptacles 101, where the width of the gap is generallyminimized for reasons of optimizing the packing density of the holdingstructure 100 and is generally determined by the length of guide ribs onthe side walls 105, 106 which serve for inserting and positioning thecontainers 102 in the receptacles 101.

In the case of receptacles 101 having a quadrangular or hexagonal basicshape, the maximum width of this gap 104 is formed by the height of atriangle which substantially corresponds to the length of the guide ribson the side walls 105, 106. In the case of receptacles 101 having acircular basic shape, the width of this gap 104 along the outercircumference of the container 102 received is constant and isdetermined by the length of the guide ribs on the side walls 105, 106.

This means that, for the access to containers and the handling (forexample the lifting or removal) of containers which are received in thereceptacles of a holding structure of the aforementioned type,particular measures have to be provided for the engagement of auxiliarytools, which frequently reduce the stability of the holding structures.

What is common to holding structures having hexagonally formedreceptacles is that directly adjacent side walls 105, 106, whichconverge in a corner region of the receptacles 102, enclose an obtuseangle θ=120°, as is indicated in FIG. 1A by the dashed lines. In thecase of octagonally formed receptacles 102, directly adjacent side walls105, 106 enclose an angle θ=135°. In the case of square or rectangularreceptacles, directly adjacent side walls 105, 106 enclose, by contrast,a right angle (θ=90°).

Thus, for example, DE 10 2009 027 454 A1 discloses a holding structurehaving a plate-shaped carrier plate on the lower side of which there isformed a plurality of cylindrical receptacles which, starting with thecarrier plate, are first formed by peripheral side walls on the lowerends of which, however, longitudinal slots are formed on twodiametrically opposite sides and allow the engagement of a strip-shapedtool for lifting a row of containers in the receptacles. Therefore, theside walls of the receptacles cannot be formed peripherally on the lowerends, which reduces the mechanical stability of the receptacles and canlead in particular to the receptacles being spread apart when forcesacting perpendicularly to the receptacles are applied to the containers.

There is thus further need for improvement in the production of holdingstructures of the aforementioned type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein provide an improved holdingstructure for simultaneously holding a plurality of containers forsubstances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications that canbe produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and allows anadvantageously high stiffness and a high packing density of thecontainers. At the same time, it is possible to insert the containersinto the receptacles of the holding structure and also to remove themagain therefrom in a simple and reliable manner. Further aspects of thepresent invention relate to a transport unit or transport or packagingcontainer and to a sterile packaging structure having such a holdingstructure.

In some exemplary embodiments provided according to the presentinvention, a device for simultaneously holding a plurality of containersfor substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications orof devices having such containers is provided. The device includes: aholding structure comprising a plurality of receptacles configured toeach receive a respective container, the receptacles being arranged in aregular arrangement and formed by peripherally formed side walls. Thereceptacles are configured to tailor to an outer contour of thecontainers or devices in such a way that an annular gap is formedbetween a side wall of a container or device and a side wall of arespective receptacle when the containers or devices are received in thereceptacles. The receptacles, as viewed in a plan view, starting from animaginary basic shape that is point-symmetrical or mirror-symmetrical,are compressed in a first direction and expanded in a second directiontransversely to the first direction, with the result that the gap in atleast one region of the receptacles is widened to form a widenedclearance for handling containers or devices which are received in thereceptacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a detail of a holding structure of the prior art ina schematic plan view;

FIG. 1B illustrates a detail of a holding structure provided accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a schematic planview;

FIGS. 1C to 1E illustrate examples of basic shapes of receptacles of aholding structure provided according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1F illustrates a detail of a holding structure provided accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a schematic planview;

FIGS. 1G to 1J illustrate further examples of quadrangular basic shapesof receptacles of a holding structure provided according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a holding structure provided according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention having a plurality ofreceptacles that have the basic shape according to FIG. 1D in a planview;

FIG. 2B illustrates the holding structure according to FIG. 2A in aperspective plan view;

FIG. 2C illustrates the holding structure according to FIG. 2A in a sideview;

FIG. 2D illustrates the holding structure according to FIG. 2A in aperspective view from below;

FIG. 2E illustrates the holding structure according to FIG. 2A in agreatly enlarged partial view from below;

FIG. 3A illustrates in a schematic plan view a combination of a holdingstructure according to FIG. 2A and a plurality of carpoules which areheld on the holding structure as intended;

FIG. 3B illustrates the combination according to FIG. 3A in an enlargedperspective partial view from below;

FIG. 3C illustrates in a schematic partial section the reception of thecombination according to FIG. 3A in a transport and packaging container;

FIG. 4A illustrates in a perspective plan view a combination of aholding structure according to FIG. 2A and a plurality of complexmedical assemblies which are held on the holding structure as intended;

FIG. 4B illustrates the combination according to FIG. 3A in aperspective view from below;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate in a schematic partial plan view and in aperspective plan view the retention of bypass carpoules in receptaclesof a holding structure provided according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5C illustrates the receptacles of the holding structure providedaccording to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5A and 5B without bypasscarpoules;

FIG. 6A illustrates in a perspective plan view a combination of aholding structure according to FIG. 2A and a plurality of syringe bodieswhich are held on the holding structure as intended;

FIG. 6B illustrates the combination according to FIG. 6A in aperspective view from below;

FIG. 7A illustrates in a perspective plan view a combination of aholding structure according to FIG. 2A and a plurality of vials whichare held on the holding structure as intended;

FIG. 7B illustrates the combination according to FIG. 7A in a bottomview;

FIG. 8A illustrates in a perspective plan view the lifting of a carpoulein a combination according to FIG. 3A by a tool which, according to thepresent invention, engages in the clearances of a receptacle assigned tothe carpoule;

FIG. 8B illustrates the supporting of a carpoule in a combinationaccording to FIG. 8A in a perspective partial section prior to liftingthe carpoule;

FIG. 8C illustrates the supporting of a carpoule in a combinationaccording to FIG. 8A in a perspective partial section in a lifted stateof the carpoule;

FIGS. 9A to 9E illustrate sequentially different phases during theinsertion of a container having a lateral extension into a receptacle ofa holding structure according to a further exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9F illustrates the container having the lateral extension in areceptacle of the holding structure of FIGS. 9A to 9E when saidcontainer is finally held in the receptacle;

FIG. 9G illustrates the receptacle of FIGS. 9A to 9F in a perspectiveplan view; and

FIG. 9H illustrates the receptacle of FIGS. 9A to 9G in a perspectiveview from below.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplification set out hereinillustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a holding structure is provided forsimultaneously holding a plurality of containers for substances forpharmaceutical, medical or cosmetic applications or of devices whichhave such containers, having a plurality of receptacles for receivingthe containers or devices, wherein the receptacles are arranged in aregular arrangement and wherein the receptacles are formed byperipherally formed side walls. Here, the receptacles are tailored to anouter contour of the containers or devices in such a way that an annulargap is formed between side walls of the containers or devices and theperipherally formed side walls of the receptacles when the containers ordevices are received in the receptacles. For this purpose, theaforementioned gap can be precisely predetermined in particular by guideand positioning ribs which extend radially inwardly into thereceptacles. Here, the width of this annular gap could well beinfinitesimal in certain portions, for example at a few punctiformregions.

According to the present invention, as viewed in a plan view, thereceptacles, starting from an imaginary point-symmetrical ormirror-symmetrical basic shape, are compressed in a first direction andexpanded in a second direction transversely to the first direction, withthe result that the gap in at least one region of the receptacles iswidened to form a widened clearance, for handling containers or deviceswhich are received in the receptacles. The at least one widenedclearance can considerably facilitate handling of containers or deviceswhich are received in the receptacles, because the containers or devicesreceived in the receptacles are considerably more easily accessible withthe aid of tools and the like.

The imaginary point-symmetrical or mirror-symmetrical basic shape can inparticular be a circle or a regular n-gon (where n is greater than orequal to 4). Here, when viewed in a plan view, the shape of thereceptacles can be non-point-symmetrical. Conceivable in principle,however, are also point-symmetrical basic shapes of the receptacles, inparticular receptacles which are non-point-symmetrical butmirror-symmetrical.

Whereas a point reflection, can always be found for the geometric figure(for example regular n-gon or circle) formed in each case by a customaryreceptacle, which point reflection this figure projects on itself, sucha center of symmetry cannot necessarily be found for the receptaclesprovided according to the present invention.

The aforementioned gap expediently has a constant gap width between acontainer or device received in a receptacle and the side wall of thereceptacle and is expediently precisely predetermined by guide andpositioning ribs, while the gap width is very much larger only in theone edge region or in the two edge regions having the widened clearance,in order to allow access to the containers or devices by tools or thelike. Here, in the region of the respective widened clearance, thegeometry of the receptacle differs considerably from the geometry in allother regions of the receptacle. Whereas the receptacles have, forexample, predominantly a radially symmetrical or point-symmetrical orelse mirror-symmetrical basic shape, for example a circular, square orhexagonal basic shape, the shape of the respective widened clearancediffers considerably from the geometry of this basic shape in all otherportions of the receptacle.

According to the present invention, this geometry of the receptaclesmakes it possible to realize a very high area use index (packingdensity) in conjunction with an optimum accessibility of the containersor devices, which are received in the receptacles, for their handling.By virtue of the basic shape of the receptacles that differs from acircular basic shape or from the basic shape of a regular polygon, thereis, according to the present invention, sufficient space available forreceiving even large asymmetrically formed containers (for examplesubassemblies for microinjectors or the like), the handling of which isfacilitated according to the present invention by virtue of theavailable widened clearances.

The widened clearances furthermore make available additional flow pathsfor the exchange of gases in transport and packaging containers whichreceive the holding structure with the containers or devices heldthereon, for example when the interior of a transport and packagingcontainer, the holding structure and the internal volumes of thecontainers or devices held thereon are intended to be sterilized by theinflow of a gas into the transport and packaging container.

Here, the receptacles are expediently compressed in the first directionand expanded in the second direction transversely to the first directionin such a way that a width of the receptacles in the first direction isless than the width of the imaginary basic shape in the first directionand such that a width of the receptacles in the second directiontransversely to the first direction is greater than the width of theimaginary basic shape in the second direction. Here, the compression andexpansion factors which determine the basic shape of the receptacles canin principle be identical or else different.

In some embodiments, the receptacles are expediently compressed in thefirst direction and expanded in the second direction transversely to thefirst direction in such a way that a width of the receptacles in thefirst direction is less than the width of the imaginary basic shape inthe second direction and such that a width of the receptacles in thesecond direction transversely to the first direction is greater than thewidth of the imaginary basic shape in the second direction. Here, thecompression and expansion factors which determine the basic shape of thereceptacles can in principle be identical or else different.

In some embodiments, the receptacles have a hexagonal basic shape orthey are derived from a hexagonal basic shape, wherein the width of thereceptacles in the second direction is greater by at least 30%, such asby at least 22% or by at least 17%, than the width of the receptacles inthe first direction. According to the present invention, the geometry ofthe receptacles differs markedly from the geometry of a regular hexagonfor which the ratio between minimum width and maximum width isapproximately 1:1.16.

In some embodiments, a width of the gap close to apexes of thereceptacles which are situated opposite to one another along the firstdirection is infinitesimal or is less than a width of the gap close tocorner or edge regions of the receptacles which are situated opposite toone another along the second direction, wherein the last-mentioned widthcan be determined in a simple manner through the choice of theaforementioned expansion factor of the receptacles.

In some embodiments, the receptacles are arranged in a distributedmanner in a hexagonal regular arrangement, wherein the widenedclearances between the containers or devices are asymmetrically assignedto the surrounding containers or devices. Because the clearances differfrom the normal geometry in all other portions of the clearances, it ispossible according to the present invention to provide widenedclearances in order to allow access to the containers or devices, whichare received in the receptacles, for their handling.

In some embodiments, the widened clearance is formed by a corner regionwhich is formed by two side walls which, as viewed in plan view,converge to a point or to a short connecting web at a convergence anglein order to form the widened clearance, wherein the following holds forthe convergence angle: 0°<α<110°, such as 0°<α<45° or 0°<α<30°.

In other words: in the region of the respective widened clearance, theapex angle of the widened clearance is less than the apex angle whichcorresponds to the geometry of an equilateral hexagon (α=120°), anoctagon (α=135°) or dodecagon (α=160°), which, according to the priorart, are used as basic shape for receptacles of holding structures. Theaforementioned gap between a container or device received in areceptacle and the side wall of the associated receptacle is thusstretched or expanded radially outwards in one region or in two regionsof the receptacle in order to form a widened clearance whichconsiderably simplifies handling of a container or device received inthe receptacle, in particular by inserting a tool, for example agripping tool or tool for lifting the container or device, into the thusprovided widened clearance.

The geometry of the receptacle can expediently correspond, in all otherregions, with the exception of the one widened clearance or of the twowidened clearances, to a simple geometry, for example corresponding to acylindrical basic shape, to a point-symmetrical geometry, to amirror-symmetrical symmetry or to the symmetry of an equilateral polygon(in particular hexagon or octagon), whereas the geometry of therespective widened clearance, on account of the aforementioned expansionor stretching radially outwards, differs considerably from this geometryin all other regions.

In some embodiments, the converging side walls of the receptacles canconverge in a linear corner region which extends in each case in thelongitudinal direction of the receptacles and is arranged in a cornerregion of the respective receptacles; or the converging side walls canform, with the short connecting web, in each case a linear corner regionwhich extends in each case in the longitudinal direction of thereceptacles and is arranged in a corner region of the respectivereceptacles. This simple modification of the geometry of the receptaclesmakes it possible in a simple manner to achieve a widened clearance forhandling the containers or devices received in the receptacles. Theholding structure can nevertheless be produced cost-effectively and withcomparatively simply designed molding tools, wherein an advantageouslyhigh packing density can be achieved at the same time.

In some embodiments, the receptacles can directly adjoin one another,wherein a side wall is formed as a common separating wall between eachpair of directly adjacent receptacles of the plurality of receptacles,thus allowing an optimum packing density. By virtue of the commonly usedseparating wall, delicate, double-walled structures can be effectivelyavoided, which considerably simplifies the production by injectionmolding from a plastic. Thin-walled, easy breakable rib-like contourswhich are difficult to cool in the mold design can thus be avoidedaccording to the present invention, which results in a longer servicelife of the mold. Furthermore, the cycle time of the production processcan be significantly shortened and unit costs can be reduced.

The separating walls can be formed to be in particular relativelythin-walled, and a high intrinsic stiffness of the holding structure cannevertheless be realized. This allows a relatively low weight of theholding structure in combination with reduced use of material and lowproduction costs.

At the same time, a very high intrinsic stiffness of the holdingstructure can be achieved because all the side walls are directlyconnected to one another by corner regions of the receptacles andtogether form a highly symmetrical hollow honeycomb structure, formed bythe side walls which project perpendicularly from a plate-shaped upperside of the holding structure.

A common separating wall is to be understood as meaning within thecontext of the present invention in particular that the separatingwalls, as viewed in a cross section, are in each case formed in onepiece and without substantial breaches. Here, the height of therespective common separating wall corresponds substantially to the axiallength of the two directly adjacent receptacles, with the result thatthe respective common separating wall is formed, such as over at least80% of this height, from a solid material.

In some embodiments, the side walls of the receptacles are in each caseformed as planar, flat separating walls, wherein the side walls ofdirectly adjacent receptacles converge in a connecting region whichextends in each case in the longitudinal direction of the receptaclesand is arranged in a corner region of the respective receptacles. Theresult is highly symmetrically formed connecting regions which, forexample in the case of a hexagonal arrangement of the receptacles, whenviewed in plan view, are star-shaped. This allows a highly symmetricaldissipation of forces, which results in an advantageously high intrinsicstiffness of the holding structure.

In some embodiments, the receptacles are in each case formedmirror-symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry, as viewed inplan view, wherein the at least one widened clearance is formed in adirection perpendicular to the axis of symmetry, and a small clearancehaving a considerably smaller opening width between the side walls ofthe receptacle and a container or device received therein is formed inthe direction of extension of the axis of symmetry.

In some embodiments, as viewed in plan view, two apex points of sidewalls of the receptacles lie on the aforementioned axis of symmetry; orthe aforementioned axis of symmetry intersects, as viewed in plan view,a flattened-off or symmetrically concavely curved side wall at a rightangle. Here, the central portion of the receptacles has a geometry witha narrow edge gap between received container or device and side wall ofthe receptacle, which edge gap is expediently defined by guide andpositioning ribs and has a constant gap width. At the same time, here,the geometry of the at least one widened clearance differs considerablyfrom this geometry, with the result that, even with a high packingdensity, very good accessibility to the containers or devices by toolsor the like for their handling can be achieved.

In some embodiments, as viewed in plan view, the converging side wallsare in each case concavely curved in the form of an arc. The convergingside walls thus meet in the corner region or into the short connectingweb of the respective widened clearance at a negligible convergenceangle (α=0°), that is to say parallel to one another. Here, the lengthof the connecting web is considerably less than the opening width of theportion in which the container or the device is received.

In some embodiments, the receptacles have in each case two widenedclearances for handling which are formed on mutually opposite cornerregions or short connecting webs of the converging side walls. Thereceptacles are thus in each case formed mirror-symmetrically withrespect to a center line. Therefore, a container or device received in areceptacle can, for its handling, be handled from the two clearances bya tool, for example by the gripping arms of a tool which in each caseengage in one of the widened clearances and act laterally on thecontainer or the device contained in the receptacle.

In some embodiments, the receptacles are of identical basic shape andthey have in each case a widened clearance for handling which convergesto a corner region or short connecting web and is formed by theconverging side walls, wherein the receptacles are in each case arrangedoffset to one another along rows and columns extending perpendicularlyto said rows, and wherein in each case receptacles which are directlyadjacent to one another along the columns or rows are arranged inmirror-image fashion with respect to the column or row. In other words,the receptacles are in each case expanded or stretched in an alternatingmanner in opposite directions and are combined, in each case in anopposite orientation, to form a holding structure. Particularly in thecase of receptacles having only one widened clearance which is expandedor stretched laterally or radially away from a central receptacle forreceiving a container or device, it is thus possible according to thepresent invention to achieve a very high packing density with improvedaccess to the containers or devices, which are received in thereceptacles, for their handling.

In some embodiments, as viewed in plan view, the receptacles in eachcase have a hexagonal basic shape having, as viewed in plan view, twoflat connecting webs which are noticeably shorter than the convergingside walls. Here, the connecting webs of directly adjacent receptaclescan also form a common separating wall used by both receptacles, whichallows an even higher packing density. Here, the connecting webs can atthe same time be aligned with the aforementioned axes of symmetry orcenter lines of the central receptacles in which the containers ordevices are received. This arrangement simultaneously allows a highpacking density and a very high intrinsic stiffness of the holdingstructure.

In some embodiments, the holding structure furthermore has aplate-shaped carrier which forms an upper side of the holding structure,wherein the side walls and receptacles project perpendicularly from theplate-shaped carrier. This further increases the intrinsic stiffness ofthe holding structure.

In some embodiments, an upper edge of the peripheral side walls forms aclosed, smooth curve which has at least one local maximum and at leastone local minimum in a direction perpendicular to the upper side of theholding structure, wherein the respective local minimum is situated inthe region of a respectively assigned widened clearance. At the upperedge of the peripheral side walls there is thus formed a type of slideor inclined ramp which allows an angular orientation of containers ordevices having an asymmetrical basic shape. Such containers or deviceswhich are wider in a first direction than in a direction perpendicularthereto are, during insertion into the receptacles, guided automaticallyvertically from above and rotated in such a way that the first directionin which the containers or devices are wider is automatically orientedparallel to the direction of the receptacles in which the receptaclesare wider. This makes possible an automatic angle of rotationorientation of the containers or devices.

In some embodiments, upper ends of the side walls which face an upperside of the holding structure have a profile which is curved concavelyin the form of an arc, thus being funnel-shaped, which facilitates theinsertion of the containers or devices from vertically above the holdingstructure into the receptacles. Here, in particular, the upper ends ofthe side wall do not project at any point from the upper side of theholding structure. This facilitates a space-saving stacking of theholding structures vertically above one another, since an undesiredjamming of the upper ends of the side walls is avoided.

In some embodiments, guide ribs are formed on the side walls and extendin the longitudinal direction of the receptacles and assist a threadingor insertion of the containers or devices into the upper ends of thereceptacles. Here, insertion bevels can be formed on the upper ends ofthe guide ribs and are inclined relative to the guide ribs in order tofurther facilitate the insertion of the containers or devices from theupper side of the holding structure into the receptacles.

In some embodiments, the guide ribs project inwardly into thereceptacles in a direction towards the geometric center of therespective receptacle, with the result that the containers or devicescan be positioned in a central receiving region at a distance from theside walls of the receptacles, wherein the at least one widenedclearance projects laterally from this central receiving region. Thisoptimized design of the guide ribs facilitates a low-wear insertion ofthe containers or devices. Here, the guide ribs expediently projectinwardly into the receptacles in a direction towards the geometriccenter of the central receiving region of the respective receptacle.

In some embodiments, holding portions are provided on the lower ends ofthe receptacles in order to hold the containers in the receptacles andto limit the axial movability of the containers or devices in thereceptacles towards the lower end of the receptacles. In principle,there suffices for this purpose a holding portion which is arranged at asuitable position on the lower end of a respective receptacle. In eachcase two holding portions lie diametrically opposite one another on thelower ends of the receptacles. In principle, however, the holdingportions can also be designed to be peripheral or substantiallyperipheral, having one or more breaches along the circumference of therespective receptacle at its lower end.

According to the present invention, a very precise positioning andguidance of the containers or devices in the receptacles is possible inparticular in the case of long, thin or slender containers where a veryhigh packing density is achieved, because a glass-to-glass contact ofcontainers with increasingly limited freedom of movement becomes moreimprobable.

The necessary guide length can also be reduced with a greatly reducedfreedom of movement of the containers or devices in the receptacles.This is relevant for example in the case of long, thin or slendercontainers, such as, for example, carpoules or syringe cylinders, inparticular with small sizes, because these can frequently be insertedinto the receptacles only up to the lower half. On account of the veryprecise positioning and guidance, according to the present invention, ofthe containers or devices, it can nevertheless be reliably ensured thatthere is no glass-to-glass contact. Thus, according to the presentinvention, material can also be saved.

In some embodiments, the length of the receptacles is tailored to thelength of the containers or devices in such a way that upper or lowerends of the containers or devices project from the receptacles and arethus freely accessible from above the holding structure. This can beused for a further processing or treatment of the containers or deviceswhile they are received in the receptacles and held on the holdingstructure. For example, a holding structure (so-called nest) can betemporarily held in a holding frame of a process station, for instanceat a pharmaceutical filling apparatus, while the substance is filled viathe filling openings into the containers or devices held on the holdingstructure; or plugs or other suitable closure elements for closing thecontainers or devices are pressed into the ends of the containers ordevices while the containers or devices are held on the holdingstructure; or the ends projecting from the receptacles can be used forgripping the containers or devices and for their removal from thereceptacles.

In some exemplary embodiments provided according to the presentinvention, a transport unit for containers or devices having suchcontainers is provided, consisting of a combination of the holdingstructure, as disclosed above, and a plurality of containers heldthereon for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmeticapplications or of devices having such containers, wherein thecontainers or devices are received at least in certain portions in thereceptacles of the holding structure and are held in an axially securedmanner on the holding structure, as stated above. For this purpose, theholding structure can be formed in particular as a so-called nest inorder to hold vials, carpoules or comparable pharmaceutical containersor else complex medical devices which contain such containers, such as,for example, subassemblies or microinjectors for self-medication.Because the receptacles have in each case at least one widenedclearance, such as two widened clearances on diametrically oppositecorner regions of the receptacles, pharmaceutical containers or complexmedical devices can also be received whose outer contour is notcircular, in particular has one or more radially projecting portions.

In some embodiments, the containers or devices are formed to becylindrical, in particular as cylindrical carpoules or carpoules havinga bypass, and these have an upper end with a narrowed neck portion and ashoulder portion which adjoins the narrowed neck portion and merges intoa cylindrical side wall of the containers, wherein the opening widthbetween holding projections on the lower ends of the receptacles istailored to an outside diameter of the upper ends of the containers insuch a way that the upper ends of the containers extend through theopening between the holding projections, and the shoulder portions ofthe containers are directly supported on the holding projections inorder to limit the axial movability of the containers in the receptacleswhen the containers are received upside down in the receptacles.

In some embodiments, a transport or packaging container for a pluralityof containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmeticapplications or a plurality of devices having such containers isprovided, wherein the transport or packaging container is box-shaped,wherein a holding structure which, as stated above, is formed as aso-called nest, and is received in the box-shaped transport or packagingcontainer together with the containers or devices held therein in orderto hold the plurality of containers or devices in the transport orpackaging container.

Here, the transport or packaging container can be closed or sealed inparticular by a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by a plasticfilm which is formed from a gas-permeable braid of plastic fibers and isin particular a Tyvek® film, in order to allow a sterilization of thecontainers or devices by the inflow of a gas through the gas-permeableplastic film.

In some embodiments, the transport or packaging container can be closedor sealed in particular by a gas-permeable plastic film, in particularby a plastic film which is formed from a gas-permeable braid of plasticfibers, such as a plastic film formed from high-density polyethylenefibers, and is in particular a Tyvek® film, in order to allow asterilization of the containers or devices by the inflow of a gasthrough the gas-permeable plastic film.

For sterile transport and storage, there can further be provided asterile packaging structure having at least one transport unit, asstated above, or having at least one transport or packaging container,as stated above, and having the containers or devices received therein,wherein the at least one transport unit or the at least one transport orpackaging container is received in at least one sterile outer packagingbag and is packaged in a sterile manner with respect to thesurroundings. Here, the at least one sterile outer packaging bag canhave a gas-permeable portion which is formed in particular by a braid ofplastic fibers, such as, for example, polypropylene fibers (PP).

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1B illustrates a detail of anexemplary embodiment of a holding structure 1 provided according to thepresent invention in a schematic plan view. The holding structure 1 hasa plurality of receptacles 5 which are arranged in a regular arrangement(array) and serve for the reception of pharmaceutical containers, inparticular of vials, carpoules or syringe bodies, or of more complexlydesigned assemblies having such pharmaceutical containers therein.According to the present invention, the receptacles 5 have the basicshape of an n-gon, where n is greater than or equal to four. A hexagonalbasic shape (n=6) may be used, as illustrated in the exemplaryembodiments according to FIGS. 1C to 1F, or a basic shape, asillustrated in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1B, thusbasically also a hexagonal basic shape, although two mutually directlyopposite apexes 52 of side walls 50, as viewed in plan view, areconcavely curved. Also conceivable in principle, however, is a square,rectangular or diamond-shaped basic shape of the receptacles, asillustrated for example in FIGS. 1G to 1J.

Corresponding to the basic shape of the receptacles 5, the latter arearranged directly adjoining one another in a regular arrangement. Thus,a hexagonal, honeycomb arrangement of the receptacles 5 can be seen inFIG. 1B. In principle, however, the receptacles 5 can, for example, bearranged offset to one another in rows and columns extendingperpendicular thereto.

The opening width of the identically formed receptacles 5 is tailored toa maximum outside diameter or a maximum outer dimension of thecontainers to be received therein in such a way that the latter arereceived therein only with a comparatively small play and with theformation of a comparatively narrow gap between the containers 6 and theside walls 50-52 of the receptacles 5. Thus, in the exemplary embodimentaccording to FIG. 1B, a distance between mutually directly oppositeapexes 52 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindercontainers 6 received in the receptacles 5. This oversize is, as statedbelow, substantially predetermined by the distance by which guide andpositioning ribs on the side walls 50 project into the receptacles 5.

The containers 6 may be nevertheless received over the largest part oftheir axial length in the receptacles 5 in order to prevent undesiredtilting or wobbling of the containers in the receptacles during thetransport of the holding structure 1. Here, the play of the containers 6in the receptacles 5 is expediently set by guide ribs, as explained inmore detail below.

The receptacles 5 are formed by side walls 50 which are formedperipherally, but this is not intended to exclude the possibility that,for example for weight reduction or material saving, breaches orcut-outs are formed at certain portions in the side walls 50. The sidewalls 50 may project at right angles from the plate-shaped upper side ofthe holding structure 1. To facilitate demolding of the holdingstructure 1 from a mold used for injection molding, the side walls canin principle also be inclined in a radially inwardly directed manner ata comparatively small angle of, for example, at most 1° or at most 2°with respect to a perpendicular to the upper side 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, by virtue of the polygonal basic shape of thereceptacles 5, a common separating wall is formed between in each casetwo directly adjacent receptacles 5 and serves simultaneously as a sidewall 50 of the two receptacles 5 adjacent to one another. This meansthat the side walls 50 are formed in one piece and from a solidmaterial, thus rectangular in cross section. This should expressly notexclude the possibility that slots or cut-outs could be provided onlower or upper ends of the side walls 50. Nevertheless, the side wallsused in each case as a common separating wall are formed over at least80% of their height from a solid material.

The direct comparison of FIGS. 1A and 1B reveals the basic principle ofthe present invention, according to which the receptacles 5 are expandedat least in one direction perpendicular to the imaginary connecting lineof two mutually directly opposite apexes 52, whereas the receptacles 5are compressed in a direction perpendicular thereto, thus in thedirection of this imaginary connecting line. In other words: thereceptacles 5 are, as viewed in a plan view, starting from an imaginarypoint-symmetrical or mirror-symmetrical basic shape, compressed in afirst direction, for example in FIG. 1C in the direction of the axis ofsymmetry 53, and expanded transversely to this first direction in asecond direction, with the result that the gap in at least one region ofthe receptacles is widened to form a widened clearance 56 whichfacilitates handling of containers which are received in the receptacles5.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1B, the receptacles 5, in the planeof the drawing, are expanded both in a direction to the left and in adirection to the right. There are thus created two widened clearances 56whose dimensions are considerably greater than the corresponding smallclearances 58 close to the two apexes 52. As is explained in more detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C, the widened clearances serve foraccess to the containers 6 received in the receptacles 5 by tools, suchas, for example, grippers, tongs, lifting tools, plungers or the like,for handling and further treating the containers 6. As can be gatheredfrom FIG. 1B, the dimensions of these widened clearances 56, in adirection perpendicular to the aforementioned imaginary connecting line,can indeed be of the order of magnitude of a diameter of the containers6 received in the receptacles 5.

The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1B is here based on the fact that theside walls 50 do not converge directly in a punctiform (as viewed inplan view) convergence region, but rather merge in each case into arelatively short connecting web 55 which extends parallel to theaforementioned imaginary connecting line. Here, the outer ends of theside walls 50 of a respective receptacle 5 intersect the connecting webs55 substantially at a right angle, and thus extend parallel to oneanother at the point of intersection with the respective connecting web55, as indicated by the two dashed lines in FIG. 1B. Within the sense ofthe present application, the two side walls 55 converge to a shortconnecting web at a convergence angle which is substantiallyinfinitesimal in order to form two widened clearances 56 on oppositesides of the containers 6, which are received in the receptacles 5, forhandling the containers.

According to FIG. 1B, as viewed in plan view, the receptacles 5 areformed mirror-symmetrically with respect to the aforementioned imaginaryconnecting line and also with respect to a line extendingperpendicularly thereto. Of course, the ends of the two side walls 50can also converge directly to a punctiform region, as with aninfinitesimal length of the connecting webs 55, at a substantiallyinfinitesimal convergence angle, that is to say with a substantiallytangential approach to one another.

As can be readily gathered from FIGS. 1B to 1F, the dimension of the atleast one widened clearance 56 is considerably greater than the width ofthe gap between the containers 6 received in the receptacles 5 and sidewalls 50-52 of the receptacles 5. Whereas the receptacles 5 are arrangedin a distributed manner in a hexagonal rectangular arrangement, thewidened clearances 56 between the containers 6 are asymmetricallyassigned to the surrounding containers 6.

FIG. 1C illustrates a further possible hexagonal basic shape of areceptacle 5 according to the present invention, wherein in each casetwo side walls 50, 51 converge on two opposites sides of the axis ofsymmetry 53 in a punctiform (as viewed in plan view) corner region 54 atan acute angle α, for which the following holds: α<55°, such as α<45° orα<30°. The concrete size of the opening angle or convergence angle α isdependent on the desired dimension of the widened clearance 56 on bothsides of the container 6 received in the receptacle 5. As can begathered from FIG. 1C, the two mutually corresponding side walls 50 or51 are connected to one another on both sides of the container 6received in the receptacle 5 via a plate-shaped or, as viewed in planview, curved connecting web 52. The container 6 is arranged in thereceptacle 5 by guide and positioning ribs (not illustrated) with theformation of a comparatively narrow clearance 57, at a distance from theside walls 50-52, whereas the widened clearance 56 allows sufficientspace for access to the container 6 by a suitably formed handling tool.

FIG. 1D illustrates a further possible hexagonal basic shape of areceptacle 5 provided according to the present invention, wherein ineach case two side walls 50, 51 on two opposites sides of the axis ofsymmetry 53 converge in a comparatively short connecting web 55 whichextends parallel to the axis of symmetry 53. If the two converging sidewalls 50, 51 are extended beyond the connecting web, they again enclosean acute angle α, for which the following holds: α<110°, such as α<45°or α<30°. As can be gathered from FIG. 1D, the two mutuallycorresponding side walls 50 or 51 in each case enclose an obtuse angle(180°−α) at the apex 52. As viewed in plan view, the two connecting webscan either extend rectilinearly, as illustrated in FIG. 1D, or else havea concavely curved profile.

FIG. 1E illustrates a further possible hexagonal basic shape of areceptacle 5 provided according to the present invention. Different fromFIGS. 1B to 1D, the receptacle here is expanded only in a directionperpendicular to the aforementioned imaginary connecting line(corresponding to the axis 53 depicted in dashed line in FIG. 1E),whereas, on the opposite side of the axis 53, the basic shapecorresponds to that of an equilateral hexagon. Whereas, as viewed inplan view, small clearances 57 are formed on the left side of the axis53, the opening widths of which clearances are not sufficient for accessto the container 6, the dimension of the widened clearance 56 on theopposite, right side of the axis 53 is considerably greater. Thisdimension can be even greater than the diameter of the container 6received therein, as illustrated in FIG. 1E. The two converging sidewalls 50, 51 converge in a punctiform (as viewed in plan view) cornerregion 54 at an acute angle α, for which the following holds: α<110°,such as α<45° or α<30°. The concrete size of the opening angle orconvergence angle ? is dependent on the desired dimension of the widenedclearance 56.

If in general, for example, the basic shape of the receptacles 5 isbased on the shape of a regular n-gon of side length a, theaforementioned convergence angle is at any rate less than theconvergence angle of two side walls, which is 180°-360°/n, where (n≥4).In order to allow access by handling tools to the containers via thewidened clearances 56, the convergence angle in the region of thewidened clearance is expediently in each case considerably less than theconvergence angle of a regular n-gon, which results in theaforementioned exemplary angle ranges, but is also dependent on theconcrete application.

In order to form a holding structure with a receptacle 5 of the basicshape according to FIG. 1E, the receptacles are supplemented to form anarrangement, as illustrated in FIG. 1F. Expressed more simply, if eachindividual receptacle 5 is formed by a predetermined expansion in onlyone direction perpendicular to the axis 53 and with the formation of awidened clearance 56, the receptacles arranged offset to one anotheralong columns (or rows) are expanded in alternating fashion in oppositedirections. In other words, the receptacles 5 are in each case arrangedoffset to one another along rows and columns extending perpendicularlythereto, wherein in each case receptacles 5 which are arranged directlyadjacent to one another along the columns or rows are arranged inmirror-image fashion with respect to the column or row. The containers 6are thus offset along axes 53 a and 53 b and arranged directly adjoiningone another with an alternatingly opposite orientation of the widenedclearance 56.

According to the present invention, particularly the followingadvantages can be achieved by the diamond-shaped basic shape of thereceptacles 5:

-   -   free access from one or from two opposite sides to a container        received in a receptacle for handling by a handling tool, for        example a gripper;    -   by comparison to conventional holding structures, an achievable        packing density which is higher by up to 20%;    -   a higher stiffness (upon exerting forces perpendicular to the        holding structure, for instance when placing plugs into        containers which are received in the receptacles of a holding        structure, considerably less distortion of the holding structure        occurs);    -   more economical manufacture/shorter cycle times during the        manufacture by injection molding/less expenditure on material;    -   reduced mold complexity (smaller investment costs, higher        service life);    -   during production by injection molding from a plastic, the mold        requires few, large cores only on one side of the mold, which        makes possible very good cooling of the mold and of a holding        structure produced therein;    -   containers or more complexly designed units whose basic shape        differs from the circular basic shape can also be received in        the receptacles; for example, so-called bypass carpoules (with        laterally projecting bypass) can be received.

For a nest for holding cylindrical carpoules, it has been illustratedthat, given the same base area of the carrier, the packing density canbe increased by up to 58% (increase in the number of carpoules which canbe held on a holding structure with a predetermined base area from fortycarpoules to sixty-three carpoules with a simultaneous reduction in theweight of the nest from about 160 g to 113 g and for a comparablestiffness of the nest).

FIGS. 1G to 1J illustrate some further exemplary basic shapes ofquadrangular receptacles.

Some exemplary geometries for holding structures (so-called nests) aredescribed in more detail below. Starting from the shape of a regularquadrangle, the receptacle according to FIG. 1G is compressed in adirection parallel to the axis of symmetry 53 and correspondinglyexpanded in a direction perpendicular thereto, which results in aconvergence angle of the side walls 51, 52 in the region of the widenedclearance 56 of 80°. In the example of FIG. 1H, the aforementionedcompression and expansion is more strongly pronounced, which results ina convergence angle of the side walls 51, 52 in the region of thewidened clearance 56 of 60°. In the examples of FIGS. 1I and 1J, theaforementioned compression and expansion is still more stronglypronounced, which results in a convergence angle of the side walls 51,52 in the region of the expanded clearance 56 of 40° and 20°,respectively.

FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate details of a holding structure 1 having, asviewed in plan view, diamond-shaped receptacles 5 which are arranged ina regular arrangement on a carrier 2. To facilitate handling of theholding structure 1, its upper side is formed as a plate-shaped carrier2 which expediently has rounded-off corners 4. Access openings 9 in theupper side 2 serve for gripping the holding structure 1, said openingsbeing provided offset to one another on two mutually opposite sides ofthe holding structure 1. Also formed at a number of positions in theplate-shaped carrier 2 are openings 25 as through-holes which can servein particular as positioning holes in order to allow the possibilitythat the holding structure 1 can be oriented in a positionally accuratemanner on a holding structure receptacle having correspondingpositioning pegs or projections, which is, for example, particularlyuseful during the insertion (nesting), filling, closing or removal(denesting) of the containers received in the holding structure.

As can be gathered from FIG. 2C, the side walls 10 a, 10 b project at aright angle both from the upper side of the carrier 2 and from the lowerside of the carrier 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the side walls 50, 51 converge at anangle ?, not, however, in a punctiform corner region but in acomparatively short connecting web 55. The apexes 52 of the side walls50, 51 can have a profile which is concavely curved in an arc shape.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in the hexagonal arrangement of thereceptacles 5 that is illustrated, in each case four side walls 50, 51converge in the comparatively short connecting webs 55. The side walls50, 51 and connecting webs 55 of directly adjacent receptacles 5 areformed in one piece with one another, without the formation ofdouble-walled structures, as is frequently the case in conventionalholding structures. Nor are any double-walled structures present on thelower side of the holding structure 1, with the result that the holdingstructure 1 has an advantageously high intrinsic stiffness even with asmall wall thickness of the side walls 51 and connecting webs 55 and ofthe upper side 2.

According to FIG. 2D, holding projections 22 which act as holdingportions are provided on the lower ends of the receptacles 5 and extendradially inwardly into the receptacles Each receptacle 5 expediently hastwo holding projections 22 which are situated diametrically opposite oneanother. The holding projections 22 limit the axial movability of thecontainers received in the receptacles 5 by a form fit and hold thecontainers in the receptacles 5, as described in more detail below. Inprinciple, an individual holding projection 22 is also sufficient forthis purpose, which projection can also be designed to be peripheral orsubstantially peripheral.

The side walls 50, 51 and connecting webs 55 of directly adjacentreceptacles 5 are in each case connected to one another or formed in onepiece over the entire axial length of the receptacles 5. Thepoint-symmetrical or substantially star-shaped connecting regions at theregions of the connecting webs 55 and apexes 52 ensure a uniform forceflow. Overall, these measures increase the intrinsic stiffness of theholding structure 1.

Guide ribs 18 are provided on all the side walls 50, 51 of thereceptacles 5 and project radially inwardly into the receptacles 5, withthe result that the side walls of the containers rest directly againstthe guide ribs 18 and are guided by the latter when inserted into thereceptacles 5. The guide ribs 18 extend substantially over the entirelength of the receptacles 5 in their longitudinal direction. The guideribs 18 can start at a small distance from the upper side 2 of theholding structure 1 and in each case extend down to the lower end of thereceptacles 5, to be more precise as far as the transition region to theholding projections 22. On the upper ends of the guide ribs 18 there canbe formed insertion bevels 19 which are inclined at an acute anglerelative to the guide ribs 18 (cf. FIG. 2B).

FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate by way of example how carpoules 60 are held ona holding structure 1 provided according to the present invention.Carpoules 60, like other pharmaceutical containers, customarily have amain body which is formed by a cylindrical side wall 62 which isadjoined by a tapered shoulder portion 64 and a narrowed neck portion 65which merges into a widened upper edge 66 having an ejection opening 68formed therein which is customarily closed by a plug with a septum orthe like which is axially secured on the upper edge 66 with a crimped-onmetal cover. At an opposite end there is situated a filling opening 67for filling and subsequently receiving a plunger. The carpoules 60 arereceived upside down in the receptacles 5 of the holding structure 1,wherein the shoulder portion 64 is supported directly on the two holdingprojections 22, and the end with the widened upper edge 66 (and wherepresent with the plug fitted thereon and metal cover) extends throughthe interspace between the two mutually opposite holding projections 22and is freely accessible from the lower side of the receptacles 5. Inthis state, the ends with the filling openings 67 project a littlebeyond the upper edge of the upper side walls 10 a on the upper side ofthe carrier 2 out of the receptacles 5. In the receptacles 5, thecarpoules 60 are centered by the guide and positioning ribs 18 in thereceptacles 5. According to FIG. 3B, a widened clearance 56 is formed onboth sides of the carpoules 60 and allows access to the carpoules 60,which are received in the receptacles 5, for their handling (for examplegripping, lifting or the like). Here, access can be had from the upperside and/or from the lower side of the carrier 2, as described below.

FIG. 3C further illustrates the arrangement of a combination of aholding structure 1 and a plurality of carpoules 60 held thereon in atransport and packaging container 90. According to FIG. 3C, thetransport and packaging container 90 is substantially box- ortrough-shaped and has a bottom 91, a peripherally formed side wall 92projecting perpendicularly therefrom, a step 93 projecting substantiallyat a right angle from said side wall, a peripherally formed upper sidewall 94 and an upper edge 95 which is formed in the manner of a flange.The holding structure 1 rests directly on the step 93 of the transportand packaging container 90, with the result that the holding structure 1is positioned precisely in the transport and packaging container 90 andthe plurality of carpoules 60 are in this way arranged and held in aregular arrangement and at precisely defined positions. A protectivefilm (not illustrated) is applied to the upper edge 95 in a deliverystate.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate by way of example how more complexly designedunits are held on a holding structure 1 provided according to thepresent invention. It may be assumed in this example that the units havea main body 6 a of a generally cylindrical basic shape and a lateralextension 6 b which projects laterally from the main body 6 a but isconnected thereto. The main body 6 a can contain, for example, apharmaceutical container, for example a carpoule or a syringe body. Suchunits can, for example, constitute simple medical devices and can beused, for example, in injection pens or as auto-injectors forself-medication in diabetes or the like. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and4B, the lateral extension 6 b almost completely fills one of the twowidened clearances 56. For access to the unit for handling thereof, theopposite widened clearance 56 is nevertheless available. Here, accesscan be had from the upper side and/or from the lower side of the carrier2, as described below.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate, in a schematic partial plan view and in aperspective plan view, the retention of bypass carpoules in receptaclesof a holding structure according to a further exemplary embodimentprovided according to the present invention. The carpoules have acylindrical main body 6 a and a lateral extension 6 b which fills one ofthe two widened clearances 56 of the receptacles. For access to thebypass carpoule for handling thereof, the opposite widened clearance 56is nevertheless available. Here, access can be had from the upper sideand/or from the lower side of the carrier 2, as described below. FIG. 5Cillustrates the receptacles of this holding structure without bypasscarpoules.

According to FIGS. 5A to 5C, the two side walls 50, 51 are curved in anarc shape and they converge in the two corner regions 54 of a receptacletangentially or so as to enclose a comparatively small acute angle, forwhich the following holds: α<55°, such as α<45° or α<30°. The apexes ofthe side walls 50, 51 are concavely curved, and guide and positioningribs 18 are provided in the region thereof. As can be gathered fromFIGS. 5B and 5C, the upper edge of the peripheral side walls of thereceptacles forms a closed, smooth curve having at least one localmaximum 52 a and at least one local minimum 52 b in a directionperpendicular to the upper side of the holding structure. To be moreprecise, the upper edges of the side walls have in each case four localmaxima 52 a and local minima 52 b. Two local minima 52 b are situated inthe region of a respectively assigned widened clearance 56. The upperedge of the receptacles thus forms a type of slide or inclined rampwhich allows an angular orientation of the bypass carpoules with theirasymmetrical basic shape. The bypass carpoules, which are wider in afirst direction than in a direction perpendicular thereto, are, duringinsertion into the receptacles 5, automatically guided vertically fromabove and rotated in such a way that the first direction in which thebypass carpoules are wider is automatically oriented parallel to thedirection of the receptacles 5 in which the receptacles 5 are wider.This allows an automatic angle of rotation orientation of the bypasscarpoules.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate by way of example how syringe bodies 69 areheld on a holding structure 1 provided according to the presentinvention. The syringe bodies 69 customarily have a main body on whosedistal end there is formed an ejection opening 68. On an opposite endthere is situated a filling opening 67 for filling and subsequentlyreceiving a plunger. The syringe bodies 69 are received upside down inthe receptacles 5 of the holding structure 1, wherein the widened flange70 lies on the upper ends of the side walls 50, 51 on the upper side ofthe carrier 2. In this state, the syringe bodies 69 are centred by theguide and positioning ribs 18 in the receptacles 5. According to FIG.6B, a widened clearance 56 is formed on both sides of the carpoules 60and allows access to the syringe bodies 69, which are received in thereceptacles 5, for their handling (for example gripping, lifting or thelike). Here, access can be had from the upper side and/or from the lowerside of the carrier 2, as described below.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate by way of example how glass vials 61 are heldon a holding structure 1 provided according to the present invention.The vials 61 customarily have a main body which is formed by acylindrical side wall 62 which is adjoined by a tapered shoulder portion64 and a narrowed neck portion which merges into a widened upper edge 66with an ejection opening 68 formed therein which is customarily closedby a plug or the like which is axially secured to the upper edge 66 witha crimped-on metal cover. At an opposite end, the vial 61 is formed witha closed bottom 63. According to FIG. 7B, the vials 61 are receivedupright in the receptacles 5 of the holding structure 1, wherein thebottom 63 is directly supported on the two holding projections 22 and isaccessible from the lower side of the receptacles 5. In this state, theends with the filling openings 67 project a little beyond the upper edgeof the upper side walls 50, 51 on the upper side of the carrier 2 out ofthe receptacles 5. In the receptacles 5, the carpoules 60 are centred bythe guide and positioning ribs 18 in the receptacles 5. According toFIG. 7A, a widened clearance 56 is formed on both sides of the vials 61and allows access to the vials 61, which are received in the receptacles5, for their handling (for example gripping, lifting or the like). Here,access can be had from the upper side and/or from the lower side of thecarrier 2, as described below.

With reference to FIGS. 8A to 8C, there is given below, as an example ofthe handling of pharmaceutical containers according to the presentinvention, the lifting of a carpoule 60 in a combination by a tool whichaccording to the present invention engages in the widened clearances 56of a receptacle 5, which is assigned to the carpoule 60, of the holdingstructure 1. According to FIGS. 8B and 8C, the tool 80 for handling hasa rectangular basic body on whose upper end there are provided twohandling arms 81 which converge towards one another at a small acuteangle and, if appropriate, can be jointly pivoted about a common pivotpoint in the manner of tongs. Between the handling arms 81 there isformed a recess 83 into which there can project the widened upper edge66 of the carpoule 60 with the metal cover possibly fastened thereon.The distance between the two handling arms 81 is chosen at their freeupper ends 82 in such a way that said distance substantially correspondsto the outside diameter of the shoulder portion 64 of the carpoule 60.The width of the tool 80 is tailored to the dimensions of thereceptacles 5 in such a way that the tool 80 can be inserted to asufficient extent into the receptacles 5 in order to lift the carpoules60.

Upon insertion of the tool 80 from the lower side of the carrier 2 intothe receptacles 5, the free upper ends 82 of the handling arms 81finally come into contact with the shoulder portion 64 of a carpoule 60,as illustrated in FIG. 8B. During further lifting of the tool 80, thecarpoule 60 is thus lifted into a lifted position 60′, as illustrated inFIGS. 8A and 8C. In this lifted state 60′, the carpoule 60 can begripped by a gripping tool and transported away or be held for furthertreatment while the carpoule 60 is still partially received in thereceptacles 5.

It is also possible in the same manner, by a modified tool, for wholerows or columns of carpoules 60 or for all carpoules 60 held on aholding structure 1 to be simultaneously handled, for example be liftedor gripped. A tool designed in such a way can also be used formechanically supporting the carpoules 60 if, for example, axiallydownwardly acting forces act on the carpoules 60, as is the case, forexample, when placing plugs into the filling openings 67, in orderthereby to counter bending of the carrier 2.

The handling arms 81 of the tool 80 can also be adjustable, for exampleto carry out a tongs like coordinated pivoting movement for gripping andreleasing again a carpoule 60 received in a receptacle 5.

The intrinsic stiffness of the holding structure 1 particularly alsoallows further processing of the containers while they are received inthe receptacles 5. It is conceivable, for example, that a holdingstructure 1 is placed along the edge of its lower side on a holdingframe and then closure elements, for example closure plugs, are fittedonto the ends of the containers and the latter are displaced axially,such as at the same time for all the containers received in the holdingstructure or for one or more rows of containers. The forces predominanthere are compensated for to a sufficient extent by the holdingstructure, with the result that only slight bending of the holdingstructure occurs (for example of at most 2.0 mm over the length of theholding structure), with the result that jamming of the closure elementscan be avoided.

There is described below, with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9H, theinsertion and holding of containers or medical devices which have anon-cylindrical basic shape. For such containers or medical devices,which are generally designated by the reference sign 6′ and have alreadybeen taken above as the basis for FIGS. 4A and 4B, it is assumed belowthat they have a main body 6 a, which has a cylindrical or substantiallycylindrical basic shape, and a lateral extension 6 b projectinglaterally therefrom, from which it may be assumed here for reasons ofsimplification that said extension has a cylindrical or substantiallycylindrical basic shape, but this is not absolutely necessary. The lowerend of the main body 6 a is designated by the reference sign 60 a, andthe lower end of the lateral extension 6 b is designated by thereference sign 60 b.

The general geometry of the receptacles 5 is illustrated in FIGS. 91 and9H and has already been described above with reference to FIG. 1E. Theperipherally formed side wall 10 of the receptacle has two side wallportions 50, 51 which converge and form the widened clearance 56,wherein the illustrated small clearance 57 is formed at the opposite endof the receptacle by side wall portions. These two clearances 56, 57arise when the device 6′ is finally inserted into the receptacle, asillustrated in FIG. 9F. According to FIG. 9G, the upper edge of theperipherally formed side wall 10 is of bevelled design, with a localmaximum 502 in the axial direction of the receptacle or in a directionperpendicular to the non-illustrated carrier (cf. FIG. 2A), and with alocal minimum 501 as viewed in the same direction. A bevel 500 is formedbetween the maximum 502 or upper apex and the minimum 501 or lower apexon the upper edge of the side wall 10 and extends in a continuouslyinclined manner in the direction of the minimum 501 or lower apex.

As can be gathered from FIG. 9H, two holding projections 22 forsupporting the lower end 60 a of the main body 6 a are provided on thelower end of the side wall 10, in the manner as described above withreference to FIG. 3B. These holding projections 22 are situated on theside of the receptacle 5 that is situated opposite to the widenedclearance 56.

The basic shape of the receptacle 5 is tailored to the basic shape ofthe device 6′ in such a way that the latter can be received therein,wherein in the held state, as illustrated in FIG. 9F, the lateralextension 6 b is received in the widened clearance 56 and the main body6 a is received on the side of the receptacle that faces away from thisclearance 56. The device 6′ can be held exclusively by the holdingprojections illustrated in FIG. 9H. In principle, it is alternativelyalso possible, however, for other or additional holding elements to beprovided, in particular holding projections in the region of the widenedclearance for supporting the lower end of the lateral extension 6 b.

In principle, for insertion, the device 6′ should be oriented verticallyfrom above into the receptacle 5 in such a way that the lateralextension 6 b is aligned with the widened clearance 56. The device 6′can then be inserted without problem. Insertion bevels (not illustrated)on the upper edge of the side wall 10 can smoothly guide the device 6′here and ensure suitable centring of the device 6′ in the receptacle 5.

However, such an optimum orientation of the device 6′ cannot always beensured. Thus, inaccuracies can occur, which make insertion verticallyfrom above into the receptacle 5 more difficult, when such devices 6′having a non-cylindrical basic shape are handled by robots, grippingarms or the like.

If, then, a device 6′ which is not perfectly oriented is insertedvertically from above into the receptacle 5, first of all the lower end60 a of the main body 6 a and/or the lower end 60 b of the lateralextension 6 b come or comes into contact with the upper edge of the sidewall 10, as illustrated in FIG. 9B. Assuming that the incorrectorientation of the device 6′ does not differ all that much from theperfect orientation according to FIG. 9F, the lower end 60 b of thelateral extension 6 b then slides, following gravitational force, in thedirection of the widened clearance 56, which leads to a change ofcertain rotation of the device 6′ about its longitudinal axis untilfinally an optimum orientation according to FIG. 9F is achieved. Forthis purpose, it is conducive if, during insertion into the receptacle 5vertically from above, the device 6′ is held in a non-rotationally rigidmanner and the robot, gripping arm or the like allows or actively drivesa certain rotation of the device 6′ about its longitudinal axis.

By virtue of the bevel 500 on the upper edge of the side wall 10, thelower end 60 b of the lateral extension 6 b finally slides, followinggravitational force, further in the direction of the minimum 501 in theconvergence region of the side wall portions 50, 51, as illustrated inthe sequence of FIGS. 9C to 9E. Here, the main body 6 a also engagesever further in the receptacle 5 until finally the state according toFIG. 9F is reached. In this state, the lateral extension 6 b engages toits maximum in the widened clearance 56.

As described above, for inserting the device 6′ into the receptacle 5,it is conducive for the device 6′ to be held on the robot, gripping armor the like in a non-rotationally rigid manner. Alternatively, therobot, gripping arm or the like allows a certain rotation of the device6′ about its longitudinal axis in order to allow a suitable orientationof the lateral extension 6 b with the widened clearance 56.

In order to guide the lateral extension 6 b, the bevel 500 does notnecessarily have to extend over the entire upper edge of the side wall10, in particular not entirely down to the lower apex 501 of the bevel500. Rather, it may be sufficient if the bevel 500 is formed in certainportions at suitable positions of the upper edge of the side wall 10.

The aforementioned principle of guiding the lateral extension towards awidened clearance can also be applied to comparable devices orcontainers which have a plurality of lateral extensions, provided thatthe receptacles have a corresponding number of widened clearances forreceiving these lateral extensions. Thus, for example, a device providedaccording to an exemplary embodiment can have two lateral extensionswhich project laterally from the main body on diametrically oppositesides thereof. In such a case, the receptacles would then be formed withtwo widened clearances, wherein two local maxima and two local minimaare then formed on the upper edge of the peripherally formed side wall,between which maxima and minima bevels for guiding lower ends of deviceportions in the manner described above are provided, in order to ensurethat the lateral extensions are oriented with the widened clearancesduring insertion of such a device into the receptacle.

A holding structure 1, as described above, can serve for storing and fortransporting pharmaceutical containers, such as, for example, vials orcarpoules. For handling, the holding structure 1 can be gripped andguided by gripping tools or the like by the access openings 9. Thepharmaceutical containers can be further processed or treated while theyare held by the holding structure 1, as described above. For steriletransport, such a holding structure can be stored as a so-called nest ina trough-shaped transport or packaging container (so-called tub), forinstance in the manner as described above with reference to FIG. 3C. Thetransport or packaging container can be closed or sealed by agas-permeable plastic film, in particular by a plastic film which isformed from a gas-permeable braid of plastic fibers and is in particulara Tyvek® film.

In some embodiments, a holding structure 1, as described above, canserve for storing and for transporting pharmaceutical containers, suchas, for example, vials or carpoules. For handling, the holding structure1 can be gripped and guided by gripping tools or the like by the accessopenings 9. The pharmaceutical containers can be further processed ortreated while they are held by the holding structure 1, as describedabove. For sterile transport, such a holding structure can be stored asa so-called nest in a trough-shaped transport or packaging container(so-called tub), for instance in the manner as described above withreference to FIG. 3C. The transport or packaging container can be closedor sealed by a gas-permeable plastic film, in particular by a plasticfilm which is formed from a gas-permeable braid of plastic fibers suchas a plastic film formed from high-density polyethylene fibers, and isin particular a Tyvek® film.

For sterile transport, such a transport or packaging container, whereappropriate together with further transport or packaging containers ofidentical type, can be received in at least one sterile outer packagingbag and be packaged in a sterile manner with respect to thesurroundings. The at least one sterile outer packaging bag can have agas-permeable portion or even be formed completely thereof, whichportion is formed in particular by a braid of plastic fibers, such as,for example, polypropylene fibers (PP).

As stated above, the design of the holding structure is optimized inparticular with respect to the achievable packing density. In thesolution according to the present invention, the in each case adjacentwalls of the receptacles are combined to form a wall used commonly bytwo adjacent receptacles. Thin-walled, easily breakable rib-likecontours which are difficult to cool in the tool design can thus beavoided according to the present invention, resulting in a longerservice life of the tool. Furthermore, the cycle time of the productionprocess can be significantly shortened and unit costs can be reduced.

The conventionally round geometry of receptacles is converted, accordingto the present invention, for relatively small volumes of the containers(for example up to 15 ml) into a hexagonal or diamond-shaped structureand for even greater volumes of the containers (for example of greaterthan 15 ml) into an octagonal structure, in which a 45° and 90°arrangement of the receptacles is possible. A very high packing densitycan thus be achieved. At the same time, the design of the tool forproduction by injection molding from a plastic is significantlysimplified. Cooling of the molds and of the material can be realized ina very simple manner, and the cores of the molds can be produced in asimple and also standardized manner.

Furthermore, the design of the holding structure also with regard tostiffness and lightweight construction is optimized. In particular, thehoneycomb design with side walls which are used commonly by adjacentreceptacles and which are formed in one piece offers considerableadvantages as regards the requirements placed on bending (bending ofmax. 2 mm with respect to the total area of the holding surface andmeasured in the empty state was able to be realized with problem).

The angular design of the receptacles in combination with the guide ribssimultaneously allows good accessibility for steam sterilization (forexample by ETO in an autoclave).

A horizontal (flat) mold parting additionally has a very advantageouseffect on the parting forces during demolding of the holding structureand thus on the risk of the formation of disturbing ridges and thuspotential particles as a result of mold wear. In addition, the moldparting no longer takes place in the direct region of the holdingstructure itself.

By virtue of the optimized position of the mold parting plane, a holdingstructure provided according to the present invention has proved inparticular to be completely suitable for clean room conditions becausethe risk of the creation of particles during demolding of the holdingstructure, but also during subsequent use, can be significantly reduced.

A holding structure within the sense of the present invention can beformed in one piece in particular by injection molding from a plastic.Also conceivable, in principle, is the production by 3D printing from aplastic. Thus, a further aspect of the present invention relates to acomputer- or processor-readable file, also for transmission vianetworks, such as, for example, an in-house computer network or via theInternet, comprising instructions or control commands which, if theseare loaded by a computer or a processor, have the effect that a 3Dprinter under control by the computer or processor prints a holdingstructure, as disclosed in the present application, from a suitablematerial, in particular from a plastic material, in three-dimensionalform.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 Holding structure-   2 Plate-shaped carrier-   4 Rounded-off corner region-   5 Receptacle (of polygonal design)-   5 Receptacle-   6 Receptacle-   6 Container-   6′ Medical device-   6 a Main body-   60 a Lower end of main body 6 a-   6 b Lateral extension of main body 6 a-   60 b Lower end of lateral extension 6 b-   9 Access opening-   10 Side wall-   10 a Side wall portion above carrier 2-   10 b Side wall portion below carrier 2-   18 Guide and positioning rib-   19 Insertion bevel of guide and positioning rib 18-   20 Further guide and positioning rib-   22 Holding projection-   25 Opening-   40 Central connecting portion-   41 Upper edge of central connecting portion-   42 Opening-   43 Cavity-   50 First side wall-   50 b First side wall-   51 Second side wall-   51 a, 51 b Second side wall-   52 Apex region at point with smallest transverse dimension of    receptacle 5-   52 a Local maximum-   52 b Local minimum-   53 Axis of symmetry-   53 a, 53 b Axis of symmetry-   54 Convergence region-   54 a, 54 b Convergence region-   55 Connecting web-   56 Widened clearance for handling-   56 a, 56 b Widened clearance for handling-   57 Small clearance-   58 Convergence region of small clearance 57-   58 a, 58 b Convergence region of small clearance 57 a or 57 b-   500 Bevel-   501 Minimum-   502 Maximum-   60 Carpoule/Container-   60′ Carpoule in lifted position-   61 Vial/Container-   62 Cylindrical side wall-   63 Bottom-   64 Shoulder portion-   65 Narrowed neck portion-   66 Upper edge-   67 Filling opening-   68 Ejection opening-   69 Syringe body-   70 Flange of syringe body 69-   80 Tool for handling-   81 Handling arm-   82 Front end of handling arm 81-   83 Recess-   90 Transport and packaging container-   91 Bottom of transport and packaging container 90-   92 Lower side wall of transport and packaging container 90-   93 Step-   94 Upper side wall of transport and packaging container 90-   95 Flange at the upper end of upper side wall 94-   α Convergence angle-   M Geometric center of receptacle 5 or received container

RE THE PRIOR ART

-   100 Holding structure-   101 Receptacle-   102 Container with circular outer contour-   103 Side wall-   104 Clearance-   105 First side wall of pair of side walls 103 which converge in a    common corner point-   106 Second side wall of pair of side walls 103 which converge in a    common corner point-   M′ Geometric center of receptacle 101-   MS Mid-perpendicular-   θ Angle at which first side wall 105 and second side wall 106    converge

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for simultaneously holding a pluralityof containers for substances for pharmaceutical, medical or cosmeticapplications or of devices having such containers, the devicecomprising: a holding structure, which is the device and includes aplurality of receptacles configured to each receive a respective one ofthe containers or devices, the receptacles being arranged in a regulararrangement and formed by peripherally formed side walls, thereceptacles being configured to tailor to an outer contour of thecontainers or devices in such a way that an annular gap is formedbetween a side wall of one of the containers or devices and a respectiveone of the peripherally formed side walls of a respective one of thereceptacles when the containers or devices are received in thereceptacles, the receptacles, as viewed in a plan view, starting from animaginary basic shape that is point-symmetrical or mirror-symmetrical,being compressed in a first direction and expanded in a second directiontransversely to the first direction, with the result that the gap in atleast one region of the receptacles is widened to form a widenedclearance for handling containers or devices which are received in thereceptacles, the holding structure further including an upper side, theperipherally formed side walls including an upper edge which forms aclosed, smooth curve having at least one local maximum and at least onelocal minimum in a direction perpendicular to the upper side of theholding structure, the at least one local minimum being situated in aregion of the widened clearance that is respectively as signed.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the holding structure includes a plate-shapedcarrier which forms the upper side of the holding structure, wherein theperipherally formed side walls and the receptacles projectperpendicularly from the plate-shaped carrier.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein the upper edge of the peripherally formed side walls forms aslide or an inclined ramp, the slide or inclined ramp being configuredfor allowing an angular orientation of the containers or devices havingan asymmetrical basic shape.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the slideor inclined ramp is configured such that the containers—which are widerin a third direction than in a direction perpendicular thereto—are,during an insertion into the receptacles, guided automaticallyvertically from above and rotated in such a way that the third directionin which the containers or devices are wider is automatically orientedparallel to a direction of the receptacles in which the receptacles arewider, which allows for an automatic angle of rotation orientation ofthe containers or devices.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein arespective one of the receptacles includes two of the widened clearancewhich oppose one another, the at least one local minimum being at leastone first local minimum, the closed, smooth curve including at least onesecond local minimum which is positioned between the two of the widenedclearance.
 6. The device of claim 3, wherein the closed, smooth curveincludes a concave portion and is configured for facilitating aninsertion of the containers or devices from vertically above the holdingstructure into the receptacles.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the atleast one local maximum is positioned a distance from the upper sidethat is farther than a distance from the upper side of a remainder ofthe peripherally formed side walls.
 8. The device of claim 7, whereinthe closed, smooth curve—with the at least one local maximum and the atleast one local minimum—forms a stacking feature configured forfacilitating a space-saving stacking of a plurality of the holdingstructure vertically relative to one another.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the stacking feature is configured for facilitating thespace-saving stacking because an undesired jamming of the upper edge ofthe peripherally formed side walls is avoided.